Specifications include, but are not limited to: The statewide contractor will conduct statewide and local level activities that advocate for the critical mental and behavioral health needs of the Population. The Contractor will be responsible to represent the needs of the Population through state-level advocacy, representation, and policy engagement. The Contractor will work in conjunction with local level entities, where applicable, which serve the Population to conduct training and outreach activities, and advocacy meetings at the local level. Effective implementation of this contract will require regular reporting, meetings, and updates between the Contractor and the Commission Staff. ADVOCACY - Contractor shall conduct advocacy activities at the local and state levels that address the critical mental health needs of the Population. State Level Advocacy Activities - Conduct advocacy activities at the state level that elevate the mental and behavioral health needs of the Population to state level decisionmakers and uplift community voice and local stories to the State Legislature. Advocate for statewide policy initiatives and legislation that will have the largest impact and bring positive outcomes for the mental health needs of the Population. Increase statewide advocacy on the rural communities of the Population or those who reside outside of metropolitan areas. These activities shall be designed to inform state level decision-makers and decision-making bodies on the socioeconomic risk factors, barriers, and challenges that negatively affect the abilities of the Population to receive culturally appropriate and effective mental health services. State level decision-makers and decision-making bodies include State Legislature, members of the California State Assembly and Senate and their staff, and California state agencies. Statewide Advocacy Event - The Contractor is required to host an annual Statewide Advocacy event (e.g., Day at the Capitol, legislative visits) that incorporates the Population community members advocating to and connecting with State level leaders and administrators in order to learn about the specific mental health needs of the Population, and to show the Statewide support for the Population. Contractor is required to plan the event, host the event and follow-up with after-event activities as described below. Local Level Advocacy Activities - Contractor is required to represent the needs of the Population at the local level by conducting activities and utilizing strategies that target local decision-making entities which may include: County Board of Supervisors, County Behavioral Health Departments (BHD), Community Program Planning Processes (CPP), Ethnic Service Managers, Behavioral Health Advisory Boards, Local Mental Health Boards, MHSA Steering Committees, or Other Local Level leaders
